GENE RODDENBERRY’S ANDROMEDA
"Butterfly Wings"
by R. John Burke
e-mail:
surke@capecod.netNOTICE: Andromeda is a copyright of Tribune Entertainment, and all rights belong to them. This is written purely as non-profit fan fiction, and no infringement is intended.
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TEASER
FADE IN
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
It’s a beautiful day. Sunshine, blue sky, and a brisk spring breeze. A robin chirps blissfully on the windowsill. Tweet, tweet... ZAP!
Robin Redbreast just met Mister Force Lance.
PULL BACK from the windowsill, and the charred spot where the bird was, to a suburban bedroom. Tastefully decorated, flowery-- this is Martha Stewart’s Fortress of Solitude.
Sitting on the bed is TYR ANASAZI, dressed in baggy pajamas instead of his usual chain mail. He deactivates his force lance and rubs at his temples. He’s suffering from the hangover to beat all hangovers, and he hasn’t used up all his hostility on the bird.
Under the narration, he slowly rises from the bed and heads for the bathroom.
TYR (VOICEOVER)
I don’t think I can take much more of this. I don’t even remember how I got here...
INT. BATHROOM - MORNING
TYR enters the bathroom and stares at his reflection in the medicine cabinet’s mirror. He rubs his chin, reaches for a can of shaving cream--
He CRUSHES the can into metal splinters, barehanded, and comes very close to punching out his reflection. Instead, he stares some more...
TYR (V.O.) (CONT’D)
It’s been three days since I woke up in that bed. The last thing I remember...
Tyr’s expression darkens, as he tries to sort out exactly what he does remember.
TYR (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Our beloved Captain Hunt had gone missing during a diplomatic conference on Orion’s Belt. Flag-waving, pro-Commonwealth sentimentality. Fortunately, he took the rest of the crew with him.
Tyr discards the pajama top. He finds a pile of neatly folded clothes on top of the hamper and begins to get dressed during the next lines.
TYR (V.o.) (CONT’D)
Unfortunately, he didn’t take the Andromeda A.I. I... graciously... agreed to go look for the others after she threatened to cut off my oxygen.
(beat)
I found the others. Presumably.
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
TYR returns from the bathroom fully clothed. He sits down on the bed and begins to pull his boots on.
He stops, and digs around under the bed as though looking for something. After a moment, he comes up with--
HIS CHAIN MAIL, which he studies thoughtfully.
TYR (V.O.) (CONT’D)
I never made it all the way to the Belt. I remember... lights. Brilliant, white...
(beat)
I wonder what the Magog would say about that. Perhaps he’d try to convince me that I’m experiencing an Afterlife.
Tyr sniffs loudly-- there’s something cooking. He puts the chain mail away, and stands with a groan.
TYR (V.o.) (cont’d)
I concede the similarity to Hell.
He strides out of the room.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
Bacon sizzling on the griddle, next to two sunny-side-up yolks of egg. The perfect middle-class breakfast.
PULL BACK to reveal the cook, none other than BEKA VALENTINE. Sort of.
The real Beka Valentine would certainly never dress in a bright, frilly dress, or wear an apron. Or a vacant smile. As she hears TYR ENTER behind her...
BEKA
Good morning, honey. How do you want your eggs?
TYR
Raw. Together with the burned ones from yesterday and the blackened ones from the day before, perhaps they’ll average out to palatable.
Uncharacteristically mellow, Beka turns away from the stove and gives him a peck on the cheek. Tyr reacts to this as though she had the typhoid.
BEKA
Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed. I warned you about staying up so late.
Tyr wants to scream, but bites it down. As she turns back to the stove...
TYR (V.O.)
I hadn’t realized until these last few days just how accustomed I’d become to the old Beka Valentine. Sarcastic, aggressive... strong.
(beat)
She’s like this all the time now. I had hoped there was an upside, but she also gets frequent headaches. Remarkable for someone so chipper.
As Beka turns the eggs, oblivious...
BEKA
Would you get the paper in, honey? You know how I love my morning crossword puzzle.
TYR (V.O.)
I may be forced to kill her.
Resigned, Tyr trudges out of the kitchen.
CUT TO:
EXT. TYR’S HOUSE - MORNING
A NEWSPAPER with the headline "Sunnyville Tribune" sits on the front step.
TYR opens his front door, grabs the paper, and starts to turn--
His attention is drawn by something in the next yard over. PAN TO:
DYLAN HUNT, dressed in a T-shirt and dockers, trimming his front hedge. The whole neighborhood is classic 50’s suburbia, the kind where kids would play hopscotch on the sidewalk. If there were any kids.
The neighborhood is empty.
DYLAN
Mornin’, neighbor.
Tyr just stands there, reflecting on the utter absurdity of it all.
Dylan puts down his clippers, leaning on the hedge in a friendly sort of way.
DYLAN
Aren’t you going to say good morning?
TYR
No.
DYLAN
Suit yourself.
Dylan goes back to work, clipping away, until
TYR’S HAND comes down on his wrist. The Nietzschean has crossed the yard between them in a moment. He’s taken this for as long as he can.
TYR
Dylan, what do you think you’re doing?
Dylan gives him a confused (but always good-natured) look.
DYLAN
I’m... trimming the hedge?
TYR
The hedge! What the hell is wrong with you? What about your ship? Your crew? What about starting your damned Commonwealth?
Tyr knows it is useless. Dylan Hunt shows not the slightest flicker of recognition.
DYLAN
(humoring him)
Well, that’d be... real nice, Tyr. But I think I’ll just trim the hedge for today.
Tyr releases his arm in a huff. Just as he’s giving thought to getting through to Dylan with a right cross...
A SKATEBOARD slams into his feet. Just behind it is SEAMUS HARPER, still in his familiar Hawaiian shirt, but now wearing a backward baseball cap.
HARPER
Heh. Sorry, Mister Anasazi.
Tyr picks up the skateboard and, very methodically, breaks it in half. He hands the pieces back to Harper.
HARPER (CONT’d)
Hey! That was a custom board, man!
Tyr just stares, challenging them to make something of it. But Harper and Dylan remain Smiling and Happy...
DYLAN
You shouldn’t be out here anyway. What does your room look like?
HARPER
Dad, it’s cool. Trust me.
DYLAN
So, if I were to check your closet, I wouldn’t find a lot of junk stuffed in there?
HARPER
Aw, man....
He leaves with the shards of his skateboard, sulking. He enters Dylan’s neighboring house and SLAMS THE DOOR.
DYLAN
(to Tyr; knowingly)
Kids... you know how it is.
TYR
No... I don’t know the first thing.
Tyr looks around at the houses, the lawns, the neighborhood... and at the end of the road, a uniformed MAILMAN, who waves to Tyr and smiles.
TYR (CONT’D)
But I will.
FADE TO BLACK.
ACT ONE
EXT. TYR’S HOUSE - DAY
A HAND opens Tyr’s mailbox and stuffs several letters inside, then closes it.
PULL BACK to the MAILMAN, a genial, pudgy man of forty or fifty. He whistles a jaunty tune as he goes about his work. He turns around quickly--
TYR stands right behind him, entirely too close.
MAILMAN
Whoa, there, neighbor. You startled me.
TYR
Did I?
The Mailman backs away, a little intimidated by Tyr’s size.
MAILMAN
Well, at my age...
TYR
You don’t look so old.
MAILMAN
Well, thank you. Er, thank you, neighbor.
He keeps backing up, nearly tripping over a sprinkler head. Tyr keeps pace with him, glowering.
TYR
Do you need any... help?
MAILMAN
No, no, that’s okay. Just-- just a busy day, that’s all. I tell you, I don’t know how many magazines that Reverend Bem next door subscribes too, but I can barely carry ‘em all...
TYR
Yes, let’s talk about the Bems.
The Mailman looks to the house on the other side of Tyr, where REV BEM (dressed in a snappy dark suit with white collar) is getting out of his car. He casts a proud glance across the yard, at
TRANCE GEMINI, who is puttering in a flower garden in his front yard. She is dressed in a tank top and shorts (specially cut to allow for her tail) and wearing a wide-brimmed hat to ward off the sun.
TYR (CONT’D)
What do you know about them?
MAILMAN
Well, uh... they’re nice folks. I think they’re new in the neighborhood, like you. That Reverend seems like a good man...
TYR
Oh, always.
The Mailman looks from one to the other, and finally turns back to Tyr.
MAILMAN
Single father, you know. He raised his daughter all alone, poor soul. And ain’t she just the prettiest little, purple thing you ever saw?
TYR
I wouldn’t know. Purple’s not my color.
The Mailman is very uncomfortable now, but he makes a joke out of it. He’s the type who laughs a lot.
MAILMAN
Well, of course, why should it be? With that lovely wife of yours...
TYR
I’m still talking about purple.
MAILMAN
I’m sorry...?
Tyr takes a few steps forward, backing the mailman into a tree.
TYR
You’ve noticed that Trance is purple. Talk about that.
The Mailman swallows audibly.
MAILMAN
Well... well, you, uh, certainly are in a chatty mood today, Mister Anasazi. Nothing like the summer sunshine to loosen a man’s tongue, that’s what I always say...
Tyr slams his hands into the wood on either side of the Mailman’s head.
TYR
That’s the first thing I’ve heard anyone say in three full days that shows any awareness of reality.
(beat)
It makes me wonder what else you might know.
The Mailman’s eyes flicker from side to side...
MAILMAN
Well, it don’t take no special talent to see that she’s purple. It’s just as plain as day...
TYR
Do you know what else? In those three days, I’ve never seen the paperboy. I stay up late watching for him, and he never comes. But the paper is always there in the morning.
The Mailman tries another of his deep, nervous laughs.
MAILMAN
A watched pot never boils, my dad used to say...
Tyr’s not buying. He leans in very close...
TYR
I’ve also never seen any of the neighbors, except for Rev, Dylan, and their... families.
MAILMAN
Well, now, most of the other houses are empty, this time of year. Snowbirds, dont’cha know?
Tyr grabs him by the arm and starts to squeeze.
TYR
Yours is the only unfamiliar face I’ve seen in three days. How do you account for that?
MAILMAN
You’re... er, you’re not a people person?
TYR
(dangerously)
What’s your name?
The Mailman slips out of Tyr’s grip and scoots away at top speed. He flashes a smile-- suddenly not very nervous at all.
MAILMAN
Zazel, sir. My name’s Mister Zazel.
He turns away from Tyr, shouldering his mailbag.
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
Top o’ the morning to you.
Zazel the Mailman continues on his route, wishing Rev Bem and Trance a good morning as he fills their mailbox. Then he’s down the road and gone...
As he gets his mail, Rev waves one claw at Tyr, who is still staring...
REV BEM
Good morning, Mister Anasazi. And how are you this morning?
TYR
Slightly better...
He remains in place as Rev heads up the walk and enters his house.
TYR (V.O.)(CONT’D)
Zazel. For those of you not inclined to morbid philosophy, that’s one letter off the name of a well-known demon.
(beat)
Somehow, I’m not surprised...
Just before turning back to his own house, Tyr shares a look with TRANCE, who only makes eye contact for a second before turning back to her flowers-- as though she’s afraid.
With his fists tightly clenched, Tyr walks away.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)
The Andromeda Ascendant flies PAST CAMERA, suspended in the empty space near Orion’s Belt.
INT. ANDROMEDA - BRIDGE
Two versions of ROMMIE (a hologram and a viewscreen image) are having one of their little spats.
HOLO-ROMMIE
He’s been gone for over seventy-two hours. We have to do something.
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
Believe me, I know that. But rushing into the Belt before we know what happened to them...
HOLO-ROMMIE
At least we wouldn’t just be sitting here.
Viewscreen Rommie crosses her arms over her chest, getting annoyed.
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
And how would we get to the Belt? I have no human pilots left.
HOLO-ROMMIE
Maybe someone should have thought of that before she sent Tyr away.
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time...
(beat, calms down)
Dylan’s right. This talking to myself is not healthy.
Holo-Rommie disappears. Instead, ROMMIE appears on every empty monitor in the room.
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
This is Andromeda Ascendant calling the Eureka Maru. Captain Hunt, please respond. Beka Valentine, respond. Tyr...
Holo-Rommie appears again, briefly.
HOLO-ROMMIE
You know this won’t do any good. They’re not in comm range.
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
Shut up.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
BEKA is having coffee across the kitchen table with ROMMIE (avatar version this time), who is looking very Career Woman in a snappy blazer.
ROMMIE
I invited the Reverend Bem to the picnic tomorrow.
BEKA
Oh, that’s nice. He seems like such a fine man...
ROMMIE
Mmm. I’m hoping to get Harper interested in that daughter of his. All he ever does is skateboard and tinker with his machines...
Both of them sip their coffee, apparently unaware of how surreal the situation is.
BEKA
Well, there are so few new people in this neighborhood. I think even my husband is getting bored...
ROMMIE
He has been acting strangely, hasn’t he?
TYR ENTERS, from the living room, with HARPER. Both women look up.
ROMMIE (CONT’D)
Speak of the devil.
TYR
Funny, I was just speaking to him.
Both women ignore the non sequitor. Rommie notices Harper for the first time...
HARPER
Hi, Ma. Tyr’s gonna pay me to fix his old radio.
ROMMIE
What about your room?
HARPER
Ma...
Tyr guides Harper further into the house. Beka uses her best June Cleaver voice...
BEKA
You two be careful in that basement, now. It’s a terrible mess down there. I hate to have a visitor see it...
TYR
Don’t worry. I won’t hesitate to kill him if he tells any tales.
Rommie and Beka laugh. Tyr isn’t joking.
Harper gives them a wide-eyed look, but follows Tyr.
CUT TO:
INT. BASEMENT - OUTER ROOM
HARPER blows the dust off an ancient ham radio in a dirty, creepy old basement.
HARPER
Whoa, baby! Looks like you called me just in time.
TYR
You can fix it, then?
Harper begins poking around in the back of the radio.
HARPER
Well, I’ll have to have a look.
TYR
Do it. Quickly.
HARPER
What’s the hurry? You gotta make an urgent call?
TYR
You might say that.
Harper begins to remove a panel from the radio with a screwdriver. As he works, Tyr tries to be casual...
TYR (CONT’D)
Harper... do you remember how you got here?
HARPER
Well, first they told me a stork brought me, but that turned out to be a load of crap.
TYR
Do you think you could be serious for one moment?
HARPER
I am bein’ serious. See, when a man and a woman really like each other...
TYR
I meant how you got to this neighborhood.
Harper is still working on the radio, barely paying attention to the questions.
HARPER
Umm... in a bus?
Tyr sighs. This is not going to be easy.
TYR
A bus. Lovely. Do you remember where you were before you got on the bus?
HARPER
New Jersey.
Okay-- that’s too much. Tyr’s fist hits the tabletop, and Harper jumps.
TYR
Where did you get that idea?
HARPER
From my third-grade geography teacher, Miss Rothmeyer. She was a mean-spirited old bat, used to whack my knuckles with a ruler. I remember this one time, I put sugar in her gas tank...
TYR
(rapidly losing patience)
Just... fix... the radio.
HARPER
Can do. I...
Harper gets the cover off, peers inside, and makes a face.
HARPER (CONT’D)
Whoa, can’t do. This is beyond hope.
TYR
Are you actually admitting you can’t fix something?
HARPER
Hey, I’m good, but I don’t do miracles, ya know? Well, maybe sometimes a little water into wine, but not anything like this...
Tyr angles around for a look at the radio.
TYR
Why? What’s wrong?
Harper turns the radio so he can see it, and suddenly it is obvious what’s wrong. The radio’s casing is empty. Harper shrugs.
HARPER
No guts. You coulda told me that ten minutes ago.
Tyr stands in place, doing a slow burn.
TYR
I didn’t know... but it doesn’t surprise me.
HARPER
I still get paid, right?
Tyr glares at him, and Harper backs off.
HARPER (CONT’D)
I’m gonna let myself out. Call me if you got something else to fix.
He ascends the stares and is gone. Tyr studies the empty radio for a moment...
A SOUND from the depths of the basement startles him. He extends his force lance and moves forward...
There are sounds of movement from the inner room of the basement, adjoining. Tyr grits his teeth and moves in.
INT. BASEMENT - INNER ROOM
Completely dark, and piled with boxes. Tyr enters, silhouetted in dim light. Something is moving in the corner, near an boarded-up (but compromised) window.
Tyr looks around, seemingly seeing nothing. He starts to turn away...
The shape moves, and Tyr STRIKES at it, knocking the target off its feet. There is a YELP...
Tyr turns the lights on, holding his lance at the throat of...
TRANCE GEMINI, who sits on the basement floor, wide-eyed and panting.
TRANCE
Don’t kill me!
As Tyr stares down at her, still holding the force lance,
FADE TO BLACK
ACT TWO
INT. BASEMENT - INNER ROOM
TYR moves the lance from TRANCE’s throat and helps her to her feet. He’s not quite sure how to react...
TYR
What are you doing in here?
TRANCE
I don’t know. I mean, I came in here to talk to you, but I don’t know how I got here, to this little town, and that’s bad because it’s kind of creepy, and I don’t know the way out. Do you?
Tyr smiles-- at last, he’s found someone in their right mind. He retracts the force lance and returns it to his belt.
TYR
I haven’t a clue. Andromeda was supposed to be tracking me, but with no way to send a signal, I can’t be sure whether she’s in the area.
TRANCE
She’s here. She wouldn’t leave without Dylan.
TYR
You’re assuming we’re still near Orion’s Belt.
He heads back into the main room--
INT. BASEMENT - OUTER ROOM
Tyr takes another look at the radio, turning the casing over in his hands, while Trance tags along behind him.
TRANCE
What do you think happened to them?
TYR
I assume... some kind of psychological reconditioning. Brainwashing, if you prefer.
TRANCE
But it didn’t work on us?
Tyr is worried about the radio, but he manages a shrug.
TYR
Perhaps they made the mistake of treating me like a baseline human. Nietzscheans are not easily influenced.
TRANCE
And me?
TYR
I doubt very much they know what you are... without a species profile to work from, their best efforts would be little more than a guess.
Tyr slams down the radio in frustration.
TRANCE
What’s wrong?
TYR
Why leave this here if it doesn’t work? We’re either being tested or taunted, and either way I don’t like it.
TRANCE
But why would anybody do anything like this? Where are we supposed to be? Earth?
TYR
Old Earth, thousands of years before Dylan Hunt and his Commonwealth. They probably got the setting from the Eureka Maru’s database.
Tyr clears junk off a pile of boxes, and finds himself a seat. He is exhausted and frustrated.
TYR (CONT’D)
As to the point... the only conclusion is that they want something from us.
TRANCE
We don’t have anything.
TYR
I agree. Tell that to them.
Trance laughs nervously. She’s as grateful as Tyr to find a friend. Then he looks up suddenly.
TYR (CONT’D)
Of course... there is one other possibility.
TRANCE
What’s that?
TYR
That I never found the Eureka Maru at all. That the psychological conditioning is ongoing. That they’ve presented me with an ally in the hopes of lowering my guard.
He has the force lance back in his hand now, its tip pointed directly at Trance. She’s not sure how seriously to take this...
TRANCE
You don’t trust me?
TYR
Should I?
The force lance comes a little closer, and Trance backs off.
TRANCE
Well... well, what if I tell you something only Trance would know?
TYR
A charming idea, but for it to do any good, I’d have to know it. If this is all in my mind, they might know anything.
TRANCE
I thought Nietzscheans were hard to influence.
TYR
But not impossible.
Stalemate. Trance’s eyes widen as she watches the force lance...
TRANCE
Would it help if I told you how to fix the radio?
Tyr considers...
TYR
Assuming it would do any good without Andromeda...
He sighs and puts the force lance away again.
TYR (CONT’D)
What’s your idea?
TRANCE
Rommie.
Tyr laughs.
TYR
You’re suggesting I rip open the avatar’s head and use the parts to fix the radio? Crude, but potentially effective.
(beat)
If you are Trance Gemini, I must apologize. I didn’t think you had it in you.
TRANCE
I don’t. I mean, I do. I mean... that’s not what I meant.
Tyr waits for an explanation. Finally, Trance continues...
TRANCE (CONT’D)
I was just thinking... in order to do to Rommie what they did to the others, they’d have to reprogram her.
TYR
And reprogramming can be undone.
TRANCE
Right. Then, Rommie can contact the Eureka Maru and have it come for us...
TYR
If it’s still in-system.
TRANCE
Well, it’s a chance!
Tyr goes over the plan for a moment. It’s not bad, but...
TYR
They’ve undoubtedly disabled the avatar’s comm.
TRANCE
Harper can get around that.
TYR
And how do we "get around" Harper?
TRANCE
Let me worry about that. You try to get through to Dylan, okay?
Still doubting, Tyr slowly breaks into a grin...
TYR
That will be a pleasure.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)
Flyby of the Andromeda, which is now docked to a small Than ship.
INT. ANDROMEDA - BRIDGE
The HOLOGRAPHIC ROMMIE is standing with TWO AMBER THAN. One of them, GENTLY FALLING RAIN, has the markings of a captain. She speaks with the slightly filtered sound of a Than translator.
RAIN
I wish I knew what to tell you. I haven’t seen Dylan Hunt since El Dorado Drift.
HOLO-ROMMIE
Well, it was worth a try... Thank you, Captain Rain.
RAIN
Don’t mention it. I really believed he might be able to start a new Commonwealth.
(beat)
I’ll do some digging. If we come up with anything about the Eureka Maru, we’ll toss it your way.
Rommie nods, and the Than head for the exit. Rain stops before getting there.
RAIN (CONT’D)
By the way, I thought he was planning to take Andromeda to that conference? It certainly would have made a better impression than Valentine’s old rat-trap.
HOLO-ROMMIE
That was the plan, until we met a courier ship from Illyria Beachhead with a sad story about plague. Dylan couldn’t pass up the conference, but he sent Tyr and me with the courier pilot.
(beat)
Immediately after Dylan left, the pilot sabotaged my Slipstream drive and took off. I was afraid we’d lose him, so I convinced Tyr to bring him back.
RAIN
And now you can’t contact the Beachhead.
Rommie blinks in surprise.
ROMMIE
How did you know?
RAIN
There is no Illyria Beachhead. I’m afraid you’ve fallen for the simplest trick in the book.
HOLO-ROMMIE
That’s impossible.
Another ROMMIE appears on the forward viewscreen, next to a tactical starmap. A single star near the Orion Belt is highlighted, with data...
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
Illyria Beachhead is one of the oldest settlements in this arm of the galaxy, with over 100,000 colonists...
Rain walks up to the viewscreen, pointing to the appropriate parts of the map as she talks.
RAIN
Three hundred years ago, maybe. But until recently, this whole area here was infested with Magog. Nobody’s heard from any of the old settlements in over fifty years.
HOLO-ROMMIE
You might have mentioned that.
RAIN
You didn’t ask. Anyway, your original destination was nowhere near the Interior.
A Rommie avatar shows up on another viewscreen, on the other side of Rain.
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
The Interior?
RAIN
That’s what the locals call the space around Illyria Beachhead. Superstition... but all the same, you couldn’t pay me to go in there.
HOLO-ROMMIE
Why not?
RAIN
Because people who go in there don’t come out.
The tactical map vanishes, replaced by a larger image of Rommie.
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
You think he lured me here in order to hijack me? I haven’t encountered any other ships.
RAIN
You wouldn’t. Ships that enter the Interior emerge in prime condition. Just without their crews.
The Holographic Rommie appears right next to Rain, and she also pops up on the two smaller monitors, surrounding the Than.
ALL ROMMIES
You really might have mentioned this.
Rain shrugs.
CUT TO:
EXT. TYR’S HOUSE - EVENING
HARPER is outside next door, mowing the lawn with an old-fashioned manual mower. TRANCE comes around the corner, holding an alarm clock.
TRANCE
Oh, Harper? I mean, um, funny little guy? Whoever you are? Er, hello.
Harper stops the mower and wipes his brow-- then his eyes bulge when he sees Trance.
HARPER
Well, hello.
TRANCE
Do you have a second?
HARPER
For the record, I have always got time for beautiful females.
He pushes the mower away, and Trance shows him the alarm clock.
TRANCE
I think this is broken. Tyr said you were good with machines?
HARPER
I’m good with a lot of things, baby...
Harper looks the clock over...
HARPER (CONT’D)
Yeah, this is a piece of cake. Busted spring. I can take care of it for you, Beautiful.
Trance giggles in her best flirting manner...
TRANCE
Oh, I bet you’re just flattering me.
HARPER
No, I’m not!
TRANCE
Really? Well, um... have you, like, noticed anything different about me? Anything special?
Harper, who is thinking with the mind of an excitable adolescent (and when is he not?), sees his chance to score points...
HARPER
Hey, one look at you, and I can see that you’re not like other girls. I mean, A, you’re a babe. B, you’re smart...
TRANCE
C, I’m purple.
Harper goes right past that one...
HARPER
You’re also funny, and a minister’s daughter, and... uh... well, you have great taste in repairmen...
TRANCE
And I’m purple. Doesn’t that seem, um, odd to you? Like it doesn’t fit with this setting?
HARPER
Nah. I got a cousin with three rings in his nose. So, Trance... can I call ya Trance? What are you doing to--
Harper’s words are cut off by a tail, which wraps around his neck and tightens.
TRANCE
Now do you notice anything different about me?
HARPER
(choked)
I’m starting to...
TRANCE
Okay, Harper, I’m going to explain everything, and it’ll sound really weird, so you’re going to have to trust me...
PULL BACK from these two, as Trance begins to explain. Just a little way down the street, standing in shadow,
ZAZEL is watching them. His face contorts in an ugly smile...
FADE TO BLACK
ACT THREE
INT. KITCHEN - EVENING
TYR is sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee. DYLAN enters, still relaxed and casual.
DYLAN
Rommie said you wanted to talk to me?
Tyr looks up, in a very good mood. He makes an expansive gesture.
TYR
Yes. Please sit down, Captain Hunt.
DYLAN
Captain? I don’t know what you mean.
TYR
(sarcastic)
Of course you don’t. Sit down.
Dylan shrugs and takes a seat.
TYR (CONT’D)
Would you like a cup of coffee?
DYLAN
That’d be great.
Tyr goes to the coffeepot and pours Dylan a cup. He returns to the table with it-- and methodically pours it into Dylan’s lap.
Dylan HOWLS and jumps up.
DYLAN
Dammit, Tyr--
TYR
Good! You can still get angry! Here I was, afraid you’d forgotten how!
DYLAN
Listen, friend, I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, but--
Tired of wasting time, Tyr slams Dylan into the wall.
TYR
Have you forgotten? I’m not your friend.
DYLAN
I’m starting to get that impression.
Tyr fights temptation for a moment, then removes his hands from Dylan.
TYR
I’ll try once to do this the easy way. Do you, or do you not, remember being Captain Dylan Hunt of the Commonwealth Starship Andromeda Ascendant?
DYLAN
Andromeda... isn’t that a star or something?
Tyr rolls his eyes.
TYR
The hard way, then.
He hauls off and takes a swing at Dylan. Dylan dodges, and Tyr’s fist splinters the wood of the cabinet behind his head.
Dylan instinctively falls into combat stance and strikes at Tyr. Tyr parries, and tries to sweep Dylan’s feet from under him...
Dylan is ahead of him. He pivots, using Tyr’s weight against him, and tosses the Nietzschean into the table. Tyr crashes to the ground atop the remnants of the table.
Breathing heavily, he looks up at Dylan...
TYR
Your combat reflexes are intact. Remembering anything else?
DYLAN
Only that you really get on my nerves.
TYR
Even better.
Tyr climbs to his feet and knocks Dylan across the room with a blow. Dylan takes a moment to clear the cobwebs from his head--
In that moment, Tyr is on him, pinning him against the wall. Dylan struggles...
TYR
(w/effort)
Anything yet?
DYLAN
(effort)
What am I supposed to remember?
He rabbit punches Tyr and breaks away. They face off...
TYR
Try the name ‘Sara.’
Dylan starts to strike again-- but pulls his fist back at the last second.
DYLAN
I knew a Sara. She was an... old girlfriend...
TYR
Your fiancee.
Dylan’s head is swimming with ideas. He looks for a chair to sit down, but they’re all broken. He sits on the counter.
DYLAN
That’s right, but... we were separated...
Tyr starts to relax from fighting posture.
TYR
By a black hole.
DYLAN
That’s not possible...
TYR
Not in your typical suburban neighborhood.
Dylan shakes his head, one last time.
DYLAN
Tyr? What’s going on here?
TYR
I was hoping you’d tell me.
DYLAN
I think... I’m not sure...
He trails off into mumbling. Tyr approaches, in order to hear him better.
When he’s in range, Dylan turns around and decks him.
TYR sits on the floor, a little dazed, rubbing his jaw. Dylan hops off the counter and offers him a hand...
DYLAN
Thank you, Tyr. I needed that.
TYR
The pleasure was mine.
DYLAN
Where are the others? Are they all like this?
HARPER (O.S.)
Actually, I was worse.
Enter HARPER and TRANCE. Harper is rubbing at marks on his neck.
HARPER (CONT’D)
But I’m feeling much better now, except when I laugh-- thanks to my favorite oracle of infinite knowledge... Trance.
TRANCE
Oh, it was nothing.
HARPER
Sure. And the voodoo mind control did zero to you because...?
Tyr pulls himself off the floor, wiping blood from his lip.
TYR
You can’t control what isn’t there.
TRANCE
Um, thanks... I think.
DYLAN
Where’s Rommie?
HARPER
Funny you should mention that...
Harper produces a screwdriver from behind his back.
HARPER (CONT’D)
Psychopathic alien hackers are the disease. I’m the cure.
DYLAN
Do you know how to use that thing?
Harper frowns at the screwdriver.
HARPER
Well, it’s a little primitive, but I think I can remember the basics. Just get me a minute alone with your, uh... wife.
Dylan heads past Harper, rubbing his own jaw from the fight.
DYLAN
(under his breath)
She’s not my wife...
Harper shrugs and EXITS after him. Trance smiles at Tyr...
TRANCE
Did you have fun?
Tyr glares at her on the way out.
CUT TO:
EXT. TYR’S HOUSE - DUSK
BEKA stands in front of the mailbox, still doing her June Cleaver thing. She’s talking with ZAZEL, who hands her a small package...
ZAZEL
Got a special delivery here for you, ma’am.
BEKA
Oh, but you didn’t have to come all the way out here at this time of day...
ZAZEL
Nonsense. This is my job. You just take that inside, and don’t worry about a thing...
There’s a somewhat ominous edge to his voice, which gives Beka pause. But as she accepts the package, she’s interrupted--
REV BEM (O.S.)
Mister Zazel! Beka! Do you have a moment?
REV BEM comes running up from next door, still in his clerical collar.
BEKA
Mister Bem! How nice--
REV BEM
She’s gone.
Zazel’s ears perk up at this--
ZAZEL
Who? Who’s gone?
REV BEM
Trance. I can’t find her anywhere, she’s not in her room... have either of you seen her?
BEKA
I can’t even find my husband-- or the neighbors, for that matter.
(beat, conspiratorially)
I think there’s something very strange going on in this neighborhood...
Zazel looks from one to the other, and just a hint of annoyance gets past his easy smile.
ZAZEL
You don’t say.
REV BEM
Please... will you help me find my daughter? I’m very worried.
Zazel pats him on the back.
ZAZEL
As am I, friend. We all are...
CUT TO:
INT. TYR’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
The lights are dimmed, as DYLAN enters with the ROMMIE avatar. She looks around...
ROMMIE
Dylan? What’s going on here?
DYLAN
It’s... a surprise.
Unexpectedly, Rommie lights up and gives him a kiss on the check. Dylan’s face turns bright red.
ROMMIE
You remembered my birthday! And I was sure you’d forgotten...
DYLAN
You... know me better than that...
ROMMIE
I bet everyone’s in there waiting to yell ‘surprise!’
DYLAN
Well, sort of...
They enter the kitchen, and suddenly HARPER and TRANCE jump up from behind the table and grab Rommie from behind. The lights come up, revealing TYR.
ROMMIE
What do you think you’re doing? What’s going on?
Harper reaches for Rommie’s head with the screwdriver...
HARPER
Now, just be cool, Rommie. Believe me, this hurts me more than it’s gonna hurt you...
ROMMIE
Have you all lost your minds?
With android strength, Rommie fights them off, knocking Trance to the ground. But even as Tyr comes forward to help...
DYLAN
Andromeda, Command Code Override. Hunt 19-77-Alpha-354.
As Rommie gets ready to throw a punch, her systems shut down, and she collapses into Harper’s arms.
HARPER
Ooh... sucks to be an android. Don’t worry, babe... you’re in the very best of hands.
DYLAN
(urgent whisper)
Hurry up.
Leaving Rommie to Harper and Trance, Dylan draws Tyr to the side...
DYLAN
Any ideas on how to get to Beka and Rev Bem?
TYR
(deadpan)
Can’t we just leave them here?
DYLAN
In the interests of cooperation, I’m going to assume you’ve just developed a sense of humor.
Tyr shrugs. Only he knows whether he was joking...
DYLAN (CONT’D)
What about the surrounding terrain?
TYR
I’m not sure. I tried to explore during my first day here, but the neighborhood extends for several blocks. The roads are dead ends, every house has a fence, and all the fences are electrified.
DYLAN
What about that mailman? He must have a way of getting around...
TYR
One would imagine.
They stare at each other, getting an idea at the same time...
DYLAN
Let’s find it.
HARPER (O.S.)
Excuse me? Can a humble plebe interrupt the council of war?
They turn to face Harper, who is kneeling on the floor, closing up Rommie’s skull again. Harper holds up a small electronic device.
HARPER (CONT’D)
Simple blockage of the main processing paths. These people have absolutely no finesse.
He finishes up with Rommie and sits back on his haunches.
HARPER (CONT’D)
Introducing Rommie 2.1... she slices, she dices, she compiles your tax returns. And the safe bet is, she’s gonna be pissed...
He turns Rommie on, and she sits up with a start...
ROMMIE
Dylan? What’s going on?
Dylan shares a grin with the others. Things are looking up.
HARPER
(to Rommie)
Check your operational logs.
ROMMIE
Analyzing...
(beat, indignant)
Dylan, I’ve been hacked!
She glares at Harper, then at the screwdriver in his hand...
ROMMIE (CONT’D)
And butchered with primitive implements!
Harper hides the screwdriver behind his back, grinning sheepishly. Dylan takes charge.
DYLAN
Rommie, can you use your comm to contact the ship?
Rommie stares into space for a moment as she tries...
ROMMIE
Not at this time. All transmissions are being jammed by an unknown source.
TYR
Oh, I don’t think the source will be hard to find.
DYLAN
Agreed. What do you say we pay a visit to Mister Zazel?
TYR
I thought you’d never ask.
As Tyr and Dylan storm out, Men on a Mission, Harper and Trance help Andromeda to her feet...
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Tyr and Dylan head for the door, with the others right behind them...
They pull up short. BEKA sits on the couch, alongside REV and ZAZEL. Beka looks up...
BEKA
There you are, Tyr! You’re just in time-- we got a package.
ZAZEL
Special delivery.
Realization dawns on Dylan a split-second before the others. As Beka reaches to open it--
DYLAN
No, don’t...
Too late. When Beka opens the package, swarms of NANOBOTS come pouring out, attacking the others. The crew covers their ears in pain...
Beka and Rev look on with Zazel, all smiles.
FADE TO BLACK
ACT FOUR
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
The robin is back, chirping on the windowsill as usual.
PULL BACK to the bed, where TYR is sleeping fitfully, just on the edge of consciousness. His arm lashes out, and he opens a bleary eye when he realizes it hit something. PAN TO:
DYLAN HUNT, who is just waking up in the spot beside him. Both men see each other at the same time. Both cringe and hurry to sit up on opposite sides of the bed (for the record, both are fully clothed).
Unfortunately, they’re also chained to opposite bedposts. Tyr strains with the bonds, but cannot break them.
TYR
There’s an explanation for this.
DYLAN
I certainly hope so.
BEKA (O.S.)
Oh, good. You’re up.
They turn-- BEKA VALENTINE enters, carrying a tray with two bowls of chicken soup, two glasses of juice, and two pills.
BEKA (CONT’D)
I hope you’re feeling better this morning. It seemed like everyone got sick at once last night-- well, you practically collapsed.
She begins to set up the tray between Dylan and Tyr.
DYLAN
Where are the others?
BEKA
Mister Zazel is looking after Rommie, and Trance and Harper are just down the hall. Here, eat your soup while it’s hot.
She tries to shove a spoonful of soup in Tyr’s mouth, and he bats it aside.
TYR
This is ridiculous! Open your eyes, woman!
Beka blinks, hesitates-- then tastes the soup and smiles.
BEKA
Oh, you’re right. It needs salt.
Before she can remedy the problem, Dylan grabs her wrist.
DYLAN
Beka, you have to get us out of here!
BEKA
Now, don’t try to con me, mister. You’re not going anywhere until you’re feeling better.
DYLAN
(getting desperate)
I feel... fine! Just get us--
Beka checks her watch, oblivious to their frustration.
BEKA
No wonder you’re getting cranky! It’s time for your nap!
She gestures to the pills. Tyr and Dylan exchange looks.
TYR
Sedatives.
BEKA
Well, of course they are, silly. How do you expect to get better if you don’t rest? Now, come on. Swallow them down, or no ice cream for you.
Dylan pushes the tray away...
DYLAN
We’re not tired, thanks.
BEKA
Well, if you won’t take the pills, there’s always my grandmother’s home remedy...
Beka takes Tyr’s force-lance from her belt and aims it at them. At first they don’t think she’ll do it, but she’s completely steady (not to mention zoned-out).
TYR
Charming woman, your grandmother.
BEKA
I was her favorite. Down the hatch, now...
Tyr and Dylan reluctantly swallow the pills. Beka takes the tray and turns on her heel.
BEKA (CONT’D)
You boys get some rest, and I’ll be back in a little while to check on you.
She EXITS. In unison, Tyr and Dylan turn their heads to the side and spit out the pills.
TYR
Any suggestions?
DYLAN
None at the moment...
Temporarily resigned, Dylan leans back in the bed. Then he realizes that puts him closer to Tyr, and he jumps back to the very edge of the other side.
DYLAN (CONT’D)
Except that this is the part where I usually wake up screaming.
TYR
At least that would stop the incessant snoring.
CUT TO:
INT. GUEST BEDROOM - MORNING
TRANCE and HARPER are seated at opposite sides of the bed. Harper has his head in his hands...
HARPER
I can’t believe they turned me into a skateboarder. That is so lame...
TRANCE
Do you think if I kind of twisted to the left, and you crawled over to the other side, and we both sort of stretched, that I’d be able to pick the lock with my tail, and we could get out of these handcuffs?
HARPER
I’m not sure, but it sounds like it’d be fun to try...
Enter BEKA, with another tray.
BEKA
Good morning! And how are you kids feeling today?
HARPER
Oh, I love you, you love me, and we’re all about six centimeters from suicidal.
Beka makes a ‘tsking’ sound while she sets up the tray.
BEKA
Everyone’s so grumpy today. I suppose you’d better have a nap, too...
She pushes the pills at Trance, who refuses them.
TRANCE
No. Beka, you’ve got to stop this. You’re the only one who can.
HARPER
Don’t bother, Trance. The boss lady’s obviously not home. Totally flash-fried...
That gives Trance an idea. As she takes the pills, her tone becomes cagey:
TRANCE
I guess it runs in the family.
Beka hesitates.
HARPER
Huh? What are we talkin’ about?
TRANCE
Oh, didn’t you know? Beka’s father was like this really creepy guy. I heard he was a flash addict...
HARPER
Really? You learn somethin’ new every day...
And the first officer’s conditioning starts to break down. She wavers her way through the next lines...
BEKA
Trance... that’s not true. Why would you say a thing like that?
TRANCE
Oh, come on, Beka, everybody knows it. I heard that he never loved you. In fact, if he’d ever had to choose between you and flash, I bet he’d have picked the flash.
BEKA
No...
Trance is getting nervous about this, but she pushes on...
TRANCE
I mean, obviously he would. He did. He’d rather die from the drugs than stay with you, right?
BEKA
No!
Her force lance is out and pointed at Trance, who doesn’t move a muscle.
BEKA (CONT’D)
Don’t you ever say a thing like that! You don’t know anything about it!
TRANCE
Do you?
The force-lance wavers, as Beka comes to her senses. Harper clears his throat, holds up his hands in surrender.
HARPER
Uh, if you’re considering going on a homicidal rampage, boss, I’d just like to point out that she said it-- not me.
The force lances turns toward him and FIRES. Harper cringes--
But it’s only his bonds that are broken. Beka does the same thing for Trance.
BEKA
Let’s get the hell out of here.
HARPER
Oh, yeah! Ladies and gentlemen, please hold your applause ‘till the end of the show, ‘cause Beka Valentine is back!
Trance jumps off the bed and hugs Beka.
TRANCE
I’m sorry, Beka. I’m really sorry. I had to say those things...
BEKA
I know. Good move.
She pushes Trance away, then looks down at herself.
BEKA (CONT’D)
Now, what do you say we find and kill whoever put me in a freaking pink dress...?
Harper slaps her on the back and hurries to the door. The women follow...
CUT TO:
INT. BASEMENT - OUTER ROOM
ROMMIE is struggling with her (specially constructed, super-tough) bonds, while ZAZEL sits near her with his feet up.
ROMMIE
It’s not going to work, you know. You can’t hold me like this for long.
ZAZEL
Patience, child. The game is nearly played out.
ROMMIE
What sort of game? What do you think you’re going to accomplish?
Zazel sits up very slowly, and suddenly there is a remarkable sense of power and evil intent behind that bland, pudgy face...
ZAZEL
It’s what your captain’s not going to accomplish. Not while I survive.
Before Rommie can press him on the issue, there’s a FOOTSTEP at the top of the stairs. PAN TO:
REV BEM, who makes his way down, smiling. He’s holding a Bible in his hand.
REV BEM
Excuse me. I hope I’m not interrupting?
ZAZEL
Not at all, Reverend. What can we do for you?
REV BEM
I’ve noticed that the others seem... troubled. It’s part of my job to minister to shut-ins, you know.
Zazel spreads his arms wide and stands.
ZAZEL
Oh, by all means. Why don’t you minister, and I’ll go check on your friends?
REV BEM
You’re a good soul, Mister Zazel.
ZAZEL
I know.
As Zazel moves toward the stairs, Rev sits down next to Rommie...
ROMMIE
(whispering)
Rev, listen to me. I don’t know what they’ve done to you, but you’ve got to--
REV BEM
(loudly)
Here’s a passage I’ve always liked-- "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil..."
Zazel stops a few feet from Rev, frowning.
ZAZEL
Don’t you think that’s a little inappropriate?
REV BEM
Not in the presence of evil.
He deliberately closes the Bible, puts it down, and places himself between Zazel and Rommie.
ZAZEL
I don’t think I understand...
REV BEM
Perhaps you don’t. Did you really think I would stand idle while you did violence to my friends?
(beat)
If so, you’re a poor judge of the Universe. Whatever control you had over me ended at that moment.
He takes a step toward Zazel, who retreats to the stairs. As he begins to climb, Rev keeps pace with him.
REV BEM (CONT’D)
The Divine tells us that violence begets violence. Would you like to know what you’ve... begotten?
Rev is very close to losing his famous control, and Zazel is legitimately scared. He turns to run...
The door to the stairs opens in front of him, and a blow from a force-lance knocks him down the stairs, just missing Rev. The Magog looks up
At BEKA VALENTINE, who spins the force lance in her hands before retracting it.
BEKA
That’s exactly why you should never play on the stairs.
REV BEM
Have you freed the others?
Beka steps aside, revealing HARPER.
HARPER
Trance is working on it, right now.
ROMMIE (O.S.)
Beka?
It’s a summons. Beka and Rev hurry down the stairs, to where Zazel hit the ground-- nothing there.
BEKA
Where’d he go?
ROMMIE
I don’t know. I just turned away for a second, and he was gone.
REV BEM
We would be wise to follow his example.
As Beka goes to free Rommie, voices from the top of the stairs herald the entrance of DYLAN, TYR, and TRANCE, who join them in the basement, arguing--
DYLAN
I’m telling you, I do not snore.
TYR
The evidence suggests otherwise.
DYLAN
Sara used to call me a ‘comforting presence!’
TYR
Yes, well, Sara was hardly--
Harper gets between them.
HARPER
Okay, uh, guys-- I’m not even asking, but, uh... the exit’s up there, and I think maybe we should make a run for it.
TYR
That’s the first sensible idea I’ve heard in days.
As the others file up the stairs, Dylan takes a head count, remaining behind to speak to Rommie (who is last in line)
DYLAN
I don’t snore. Do I?
Rommie winces-- no way she’s getting into this. She EXITS.
FADE TO BLACK.
ACT FIVE
EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)
Rain’s small THAN FREIGHTER approaches and docks with Andromeda.
INT. ANDROMEDA - BRIDGE
HOLO-ROMMIE is waiting rather impatiently, tapping her foot. Finally, RAIN ENTERS.
HOLO-ROMMIE
(anxiously)
Well?
RAIN
Calm down, ship. You’ll blow a circuit.
(beat)
Here. A souvenir.
She pulls a small, scorched piece of metal from her pocket and tosses it to the hologram...
It PHASES THROUGH Rommie and hits the ground with a clunk.
RAIN
Sorry. You look so real.
HOLO-ROMMIE
No offense taken. What was it?
RAIN
A piece of your friend’s courier ship. He wasn’t hard to find.
Rommie steps forward, getting annoyed...
ROMMIE
So you decided to blow him up?
RAIN
Hardly. He’d already taken the honorable way out.
Rommie appears on the main viewscreen.
VIEWSCREEN ROMMIE
Then how are we supposed to find Dylan?
RAIN
The obvious way. I backtracked his course. Feeding you the data now.
Rain inserts a disc into one of Rommie’s terminals. The viewscreen changes to scrolling data...
HOLO-ROMMIE
Processing. I have a location.
RAIN
Dead center of the Interior, right?
HOLO-ROMMIE
You’ve read the data?
RAIN
No, but I have an unerring sense of my own luck. You’ve completed repairs, right?
Rain slides into the Slipstream chair and begins making preparations.
HOLO-ROMMIE
Does that mean you’re willing to fly me there?
RAIN
Does that mean you’re willing to pay me?
HOLO-ROMMIE
I’m sure we can work something out.
RAIN
Then rig for Slipstream.
But Rommie hesitates, staring at the freight captain with a little smile on her face.
RAIN (CONT’D)
What?
HOLO-ROMMIE
It’s nice to have a Than in that chair.
Rain shrugs off the comment and Andromeda gets to work...
EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)
Andromeda pulls away from the Than ship and TRANSITS TO
SLIPSTREAM...
CUT TO:
EXT. TYR’S HOUSE - DAY
DYLAN, TYR, BEKA, TRANCE, HARPER, REV, and ROMMIE file out the door in unison. They squint into the sun, looking for something...
HARPER
I don’t suppose anybody thought to leave a trail of breadcrumbs?
TYR
We should fan out and try the fences. I didn’t get to all of them...
DYLAN
We’re not splitting up again.
ZAZEL (O.S.)
Very sensible, Captain Hunt.
They turn... ZAZEL is at the mailbox with his bag, looking for all the world as though it’s just another day.
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
Your kind is always very sensible. But you won’t find the exit that way.
Beka extends her force-lance. She, Tyr, and Dylan step forward, all in bad moods...
DYLAN
You know, as much as I ordinarily enjoy games, I’m really not in the mood this morning.
TYR
I advise you to show us the way out.
ZAZEL
Is that your move? Threats of grave violence against my person? Well, that’s certainly typical. But what is my "person?" Am I really here?
As Zazel speaks, he CHANGES, becoming younger and more athletic, with a uniform...
TYR
The courier pilot.
Then Zazel is himself again, albeit without the mailbag.
ZAZEL
Well, I hope you didn’t expect points for that. That was too easy.
He approaches Dylan and the others, ignoring the threats of the force lance.
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
You see my point. Who am I? And who are you? What is this reality? What is time?
Tyr grabs him and slams him against the front-yard tree.
TYR
And what is your life expectancy if you don’t help us?
ZAZEL
Now, you... you I like, Tyr Anasazi.
Tyr presses him harder against the tree, but Zazel just smiles...
ZAZEL
The High Guard never changes. The machine is just a machine-- and your Magog conceals too much of his inner Chaos to be really interesting.
Zazel looks at the others in turn--
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
The engineer’s not worth my time, the lovely Captain Valentine was far too easily controlled... very disappointing.
His eyes flick over Trance with evident distaste.
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
And the less said about that one, the better.
Now he focuses on Tyr, and again there is a sense of power far exceeding his harmless appearance...
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
But you, Nietzschean. You’re my kind of guy.
Tyr slams him against the tree again, just for the hell of it.
TYR
As far as you’re concerned, I’m the Abyss. Feel free to stare.
ZAZEL
Nietzsche... now, there was a man who knew what he was talking about. Ahead of his time.
Zazel’s attention returns to Dylan...
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
As you, Captain Hunt, are behind yours.
Dylan starts to say something, but suddenly Zazel’s face contorts with anger...
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
For thousands of years your Commonwealth stood as an abomination to the Universe. Finally... finally... we are free of it. Did you think you could push us back into hiding so easily?
(beat)
We’ll see you in the Chaos first.
Dylan gestures to Tyr, who releases Zazel, but doesn’t back off much. Now Dylan takes charge...
DYLAN
That’s what this is all about? You’re against the Commonwealth?
ZAZEL
Oh, much more than that. You might say the Commonwealth is against me.
Now Beka wants a piece of this argument...
BEKA
So... what? You don’t like Dylan’s ideals, so you mind-wipe us and throw us all in prison?
ZAZEL
But this is not a prison. This is our Mission.
He jerks his chin past them, to Rev Bem.
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
The Magog understands. Don’t you?
The others look at Rev, who hesitantly steps forward.
REV BEM
I’m beginning to.
(beat, to Dylan)
Wayists believe that everything in the Universe must have a balance...
At the last word, Zazel sneers noticeably...
REV BEM (CONT’D)
And as we believe in balance, so we are balanced... by another force, older and darker than ourselves.
ZAZEL
The Chaos.
BEKA
So this is all some whacko cult hideout?
Zazel laughs at that.
ZAZEL
I’m sure that’s what the Wayists would tell you. We’re no cult. We have no rituals, no superstitions... we simply embrace the fundamental disorder of the universe. Those who would attempt to structure that which cannot be understood or explained... they’re the fools.
(beat)
We brought you here to free you, if you would accept the knowledge. Create the safest, most antiseptic setting you can imagine... and watch it crumble, because the galaxy’s inherent Chaos will not allow such a thing.
Now Dylan’s starting to get a clue...
DYLAN
You... worship... Chaos Theory?
ZAZEL
Well, I confess it’s not as enlightened as worshipping our own sun, or perhaps...
(disdainful glance at Rev)
...the Universe itself...
(smiles, to Dylan)
But it has the virtue of being the truth.
Dylan gets into his face.
DYLAN
Your truth. Practice it on your own time. Do not endanger my crew again.
TYR
He won’t have the chance.
Tyr grabs Zazel by the throat before Dylan can object. Instead of looking worried, the alien SHOUTS A FEW WORDS in a strange language...
Tyr stands frozen, trembling, his hands closed around Zazel’s throat. Now Dylan gets the words out...
DYLAN
No! Don’t kill him!
ZAZEL
Don’t worry, Captain. He won’t disobey your orders.
DYLAN
Tyr?
Tyr is shaking, furious...
TYR
(to Zazel)
I can’t move. What have you done?
ZAZEL
Why, nothing.
(beat)
Did you think you were the first to break the conditioning? Hardly. You were the first to succumb to it. You broke past the order and found your Chaos, and that makes you worthy of my interest...
Zazel breaks off, frowns, and suddenly his manner changes.
ZAZEL (CONT’D)
At another time. For now, I perceive that the game is up. We’ll speak of this again, Captain Hunt. I hope you’re looking forward to it. I know I am.
CLOSE ON DYLAN, who starts to object--
PULL BACK to show that Tyr’s arms are empty and Zazel is gone. Tyr takes a deep breath, released from whatever Zazel did. He, Dylan, and Beka turn to the others in confusion...
HARPER
Well, don’t look at me. I didn’t tell the freaky little guy about my teleporter.
Suddenly, Rommie looks up--
ROMMIE
Dylan, I’ve made contact with the ship.
BEKA
The Maru?
ROMMIE
Even better. Andromeda Ascendant is in the system...
BEKA
(annoyed)
You’re just bigger than the Maru. Not better.
ROMMIE
Oh, there’s a Captain Rain who wishes me pass on that, quote, "You owe her so big."
Dylan grins. The ordeal, whatever it has been, is over.
DYLAN
Tell her we’ll talk later.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)
Andromeda Ascendant cruises PAST CAMERA, back to normal operation...
INT. ANDROMEDA - OBSERVATION DECK
Tyr is sitting by himself, looking out at the stars.
PULL BACK to show Dylan standing in the doorway.
DYLAN
Feeling better?
TYR
Define "better."
Dylan takes a few steps into the room, cocky...
DYLAN
So... Tyr... we’re missing, presumed dead. You’re alone with the Andromeda. For some reason, instead of blasting off for safety, you risk your life in a pod to come after us...
TYR
Your ship threatened to asphyxiate me.
DYLAN
Right. She’s sorry about that.
TYR
I couldn’t possibly care.
Silence. Dylan sits down next to Tyr.
DYLAN
You know Andromeda wouldn’t have done it. You could have hot-wired her. Or at least waited for the repairs and gone in together...
TYR
The trail would have been cold by then. And I happen to know you locked me out of Command before you left. I wouldn’t have gotten ten meters without your authorization.
Dylan is surprised. Tyr sneers at him.
TYR (CONT’D)
You continually assure me that, despite all outward appearances, you are not a fool. Kindly grant me the same courtesy.
Dylan shrugs. A moment goes by, and he senses that Tyr’s not really angry with him...
DYLAN
What’s on your mind?
TYR
If something were, why would I mention it to you?
DYLAN
You know... Tyr... Zazel didn’t really say anything we didn’t know. You’re the strongest of us. You refused to accept the illusion.
TYR
You admit I’m stronger than you are?
DYLAN
In certain ways.
Dylan claps him on the shoulder (mild distaste from Tyr) and stands.
DYLAN
I wouldn’t worry too much about that "conditioning" he mentioned. Rev says these Chaos worshippers are considered... well, crazy.
Dylan starts to leave, and Tyr speaks very softly...
TYR
Nietzsche was thought insane at one time.
Dylan stops.
DYLAN
Don’t tell me this bothers you. That’s not very... Tyr.
TYR
"Tyr" likes to know what he’s dealing with. He doesn’t like people inside his mind, and he doesn’t like being unable to control his actions.
DYLAN
Zazel probably used some kind of neurotoxin back there...
Tyr turns on Dylan, annoyed now.
TYR
But I’ll never know. I’ll never know why I couldn’t kill him. I’ll never be certain that it won’t happen again... or even if I really escaped from his illusion.
DYLAN
Then take my word for it. We stepped back from the abyss this time.
TYR
Did we?
No answer from Dylan, who finally turns and EXITS. Tyr returns his attention to the stars.
FADE TO BLACK.
END CREDITS AND THEME